Acupuncture to lose weight — You can Try

Although, one should never lose hope to lose weight; if someone loses optimism for any reason; then try using some weight loss methods in alternative medicine.

As there are many methods in Alternative medicine, which have been researched for their efficacy in the field of Weight Loss; and the research findings show that they are effective.

People across the world are aware of these weight loss methods in alternative medicine, and in recent times these methods have come up as a remedy to the growing weight and obesity problem.

Acupuncture (a centuries old Chinese practice) for Weight Loss. The practitioners and those who have tried it, claim that it Helps you lose weight.

One such weight loss method is Acupuncture (a centuries old Chinese practice). The practitioners and those who have tried it, claim that it helps you lose weight.

Acupuncture, an ancient practice originating in China, attracted the West in late sixties. In the ’70s, a few countries began to research the treatment, and reports from the US and Japan suggested that acupuncture could help cure obesity. Today, countries like Hong Kong and Singapore use acupuncture to treat obesity as well as other ailments such as addiction.

What is Accupuncture?

In Acupuncture, very fine needles are stuck (by inserting them shallowly on human skin) at specific points in the anatomy(human body). It is believed that needles inserted at these specific points found all over the body, stimulate (either on their own or sometimes when fed with electric current) these points and bring wellness and health to the individual. Although, it has not been established scientifically, but in China acupuncture practitioners claim it to be effective in treating almost everything, right from nausea, stress, obesity, labor pain to infertility.

Tests have shown that when a point on human body is stimulated, its effect on the brain can be seen on an FMRI (Functional MRI) scan. Accupuncture tries to stimulate such specific points using needles or needles applied with electric current. But acupuncture procedure is more complicated than just inserting needles on some points. Application of needles is often used in combination with moxibustion – burning certain herbs on or over the skin.

That why, based on an individual’s needs, acupuncture can be carried out in several ways: traditional body needling, moxibustion, electric acupuncture (electro-acupuncture), laser acupuncture (photo-acupuncture), microsystem acupuncture (focused on a particular system, such as the ear) and acupressure (pressure with fingers on points).

In the US, acupuncture is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine, and 19 per cent of the population have tried it at some point.

How Acupuncture helps in weight loss?

To effect weight loss, an acupuncture expert inserts needles in a few points on the person’s body (which only an expert can pin point).

Acupuncture works on your weight on ways more than one. For one, it helps boost metabolism and increase circulation in the body (better blood and oxygen flow keeps the body healthy and enhances metabolism). Next, specific needle placements are thought to lower insulin and lipid levels in the blood. Finally, the application of acupuncture needles helps mobilize the body’s energy reserves, that’s they are put to use or burnt, which leads to weight loss and lowered cholesterol,. Acupuncture may also help reduce cravings for certain foods and encourage a decrease in your natural appetite.
When acupuncture is used in a holistic manner; then an acupuncture specialist normally begins with a physical and psychological examination of the overweight or obese individual in order to understand the reasons for the patient’s weight problem – hormonal, psychological or physiological. On the basis of this preliminary examination, which throws additional light on the patient’s constitution, needles are inserted in specific areas (the stomach and spleen govern obesity).

But getting Acupuncture treatment by itself is not complete enough to result in permanent weight loss. Many dietitians and weight loss experts who often refer their patients to acupuncture practitioners say that it is important to supplement acupuncture with a proper diet and exercise. In short acupuncture may be really effective, but it’s not magic, a person has to put consist effort to keep off the lost weight.

How soon the results start showing?

Experts claims that, If the above criteria are met, you should start losing up to 2.5 kg or around 5 pounds a month within three months of starting the treatment. The average treatment session lasts about 20-30 minutes, and ideally you should have one session a week.

Answers to some FAQs:

1) Not painful: When performed by an expert, you should feel only a mild sensation when the needles are inserted into your body. Only a practitioners, who is less than an expert, makes you feel pain which you can’t bear, then you should know, it is time to say quits.

2) Before heading for a acupuncturist, it’s important to verify his/her credentials. If the therapy is listed in your country as alternative medicine, then verifying credentials is not difficult.